From 15 December, holders of Class 3 and 3A driving licences in Singapore will be allowed to drive selected heavier electric light goods vehicles (LGVs) and electric small buses.
Under the current rules, Class 3 and 3A drivers can operate LGVs and small buses with an unladen weight (ULW) of up to 2,500kg. Anything heavier requires a Class 4 or 4P licence.
Electric vehicles, by their very nature, tend to be heavier than their internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalents (usually by 400kg to 500kg), thanks largely to battery packs mounted beneath the floor.
The Traffic Police has now recognised the disconnect. In a statement on 12 December, it announced an exemption order allowing Class 3 and 3A licence holders to drive four electric models with a ULW between 2,501kg and 3,000kg, effective from 15 December. The models are the Higer H5C High Roof, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter 320, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Joylong EA5. These vehicles were identified following industry requests.
Perhaps the most welcome detail is this: existing Class 3 and 3A drivers automatically qualify. There is no additional endorsement, and no licence update required.
For fleet operators, SMEs and logistics providers, this is the difference between adapting quickly and grinding to a halt. For drivers, it’s one less barrier between policy and practicality.
The natural question, of course, is safety. Can a driver accustomed to a 2,500kg vehicle comfortably handle one that’s half a tonne heavier? According to the Traffic Police, the answer is yes. These electric LGVs and small buses have similar dimensions and handling characteristics to their ICE counterparts. Steering response, turning radius, wheelbase and overall length remain broadly unchanged. In fact, the battery weight, lowers the centre of gravity, improving stability rather than compromising it.
The Traffic Police has indicated that legislative amendments and system enhancements are planned for 2026, at which point the ULW threshold will be formally raised across the board. When that happens, Class 3 and 3A licence holders will be allowed to drive all electric LGVs and electric small buses with a ULW of up to 3,000kg, not just these four models.
Driving a vehicle that exceeds your licence class ULW threshold remains a serious offence. First-time offenders face fines of up to $10,000, three years’ imprisonment, or both. Repeat offenders risk fines of up to $20,000, six years’ jail, or both.
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